Ayre C-5xe mp vs PS Audio Digital Link III


A bit of an odd question, but I am very curious about my experience to date with a new setup I have put together.

Ayre AX-7e Integrated Amp
Ayre C-5xe MP CD Player
PS Audio Digital Link III
Simple Old Polk Ref book shelf speakers (to be replaced soon).
Interconnects are a mix of Audioquest King Cobra, Morrow MA4, and the Ayre/Cardas Custom Cable -- all are balanced XLR (and have switched them all back and forth -- so far the Morrow sounds the best)

The AX-7e is plugged into its own outlet, remaining equipment is plugged into an industrial power strip and then to a shared outlet.

Have the entire setup since October 2011. Playing mix is about 70% from PS Audio DAC (fed by Sonos/Apple Lossless from PC), 30% CD playing.

Here is the question -- no matter what I play with the cables, the PS Audio seems to have a much stronger presense then the Ayre C-5xe. The quality of the sound from both is superb. However, it feels like the PS Audio has about a good 3-4 DB of power over the Ayre CD. I know both the Ayre and the PS Audio have excellent powwer supplies. I am planning on running another dedicated 20A (10/2)circuit - I was going to connect both the PS Audio and Ayre CD to this. Thoughts and suggestions?? Should I keep them separated??
sbleam

Showing 2 responses by sbleam

Thank you both for the feedback -- makes me stop the "endless circle of tweaking" and just turn the volume up and enjoy.
I would describe it as a stronger/louder sound --- while I do not have any definitive audio measures (with a mic or similar). I do judge that by turning up the C-5xe by 3-5 on the volume (matching db to the 60 on the Ayre) I get closer to simlar strength in sound.

Am I being to impatient on putting the hours of use in the Ayre? Again had it since last October, but it has been powered off on numerous occasions (vacations, etc.) and is not used as much as the PS Audio in terms of total hours played.

Or is having both of these devices on the same powerstrip, from a shared circuit, to much and should separte both the CDP and the DAC regarding power?